Manitowoc has strong showing at Mexico Wind Power 2013

L to R: Cuahtemoc Flores, Jorge Zanella, Alvaro Alanis and Francisco Garcia, regional business managers for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean regions, represented Manitowoc at Mexico Wind Power 2013.

Manitowoc’s team in Mexico displayed the company’s unique products for the Latin American wind industry at Mexico Wind Power 2013, held in Centro Banamex, Mexico.

Cuauhtemoc Flores, regional business manager for Manitowoc, said the goal for Mexico Wind Power 2013 was to showcase Manitowoc’s superior products for the growing Latin American wind industry.

“Mexico’s wind energy industry is set to significantly expand in the coming years,” he said. “Manitowoc is committed to helping the country realize its potential as a world leader in this growing renewable energy. Our company has substantially invested in producing cranes for this growing sector and we believe our products are second to none.”

Mexico currently has 1,400 mw of installed wind energy capacity with the goal to increase that number to 12,000 mw by 2020. This leaves Manitowoc with plenty of opportunity to expand in the growing market. Mexico has also laid out a solid legal and regulatory framework to aid investment in its wind energy industry.

Among an array of trade show visitors, including GE Energy, Siemens, and Vestas, were Manitowoc’s 16000 Wind Attachment and the Boom Raising System for Manitowoc 16000 crawler cranes.

The 16000 Wind Attachment boosts the capacity of the 400 t Manitowoc 16000 crawler crane to place the latest generation of wind turbines. Lifting duties at shorter radii are the most improved, and at 18 m, the crane has a 44 percent capacity advantage over the crane without the attachment. This allows the 16000 to install most 2.5 MW wind turbines (and several larger ones) on towers between 80 m and 85 m.

In 2012, Manitowoc innovated even further. The Boom Raising System for the Manitowoc 16000 crawler crane, the first of its kind in the world, allows customers to raise longer boom lengths for wind applications that would have otherwise required the use of an assist crane. The combination of the Boom Raising System and the Wind Attachment allows users to self-erect longer boom lengths and install nacelles on 100 m wind turbine towers, for example.

A Manitowoc Crane Care service team was also on hand for the event to reinforce the unwavering support the company provides for all of its products. The team also shared its insight into the Latin American wind energy market, explaining new strategies for the region and offering tips for how to expand the industry.

“We spoke with many types of customers at the event,” Flores said. “Everyone was very excited about the wind energy market in Mexico and eager to learn how Manitowoc could help. We feel Wind Power Mexico 2013 was a resounding success for everyone that attended.”

The event was organized by AMDEE, The Mexican Wind Energy Association, and GWEC, Global Wind Energy Council. Both organizations are working to promote and establish wind power as an answer to the world energy challenges.